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NEWS
Victorian search and rescue restructure
New co-ordinated marine search and rescue office by June 2016The Victorian Government is set to make significant changes to the state’s marine search and rescue (MSAR) arrangements to better support the organisations providing this service to the community.
The Government Response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Marine Rescue Services in Victoria, which was tabled in Parliament way back in September 2014, sets out a plan for a more coordinated approach to building marine search and rescue capability in the State and to better support volunteers.
Currently, marine search and rescue in Victoria is provided by Victoria Police and seven volunteer organisations including the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, Country Fire Authority, Life Saving Victoria and the Victoria State Emergency Service also provide some marine search and rescue services.
The proposed reforms will introduce new common standards and training in the marine search and rescue sector, critical for safe and consistent service delivery and better enabling marine search and rescue units to work together during operations.
The changes will also support the approximately 1000 volunteers that currently provide marine rescue services across Victoria’s 1200 kilometres of coastline and over 3000 square kilometres of inland and enclosed waters.
The new governance arrangements will mean all volunteer marine search and rescue organisations will contribute to decision-making for the first time in Victoria.
The government response is based on consultation with many stakeholders, including MSAR organisations, Emergency Management Victoria, Transport Safety Victoria and Victoria Police.
Through the reforms, Victoria police, as the responsible response agency for marine search and rescue, will have a comprehensive view of marine search and rescue capability across the state, enabling a more efficient and effective coordinated response to marine search and rescue incidents.
The establishment of a marine search and rescue office will provide a co-ordinated and collaborative approach to the development of strategy, policies and programs. It will be led by the Emergency Management Commissioner and is planned to be established by Emergency Management Victoria by June 2016.
INSURANCE CRISIS
In the shadow of these reforms, we hear that the subject of insurance has reared it head for the Victorian Coast Guard. The Coast Guard needs to find $148,000 or it says it cannot operate past this Thursday (March 3).
The Victorian Government supports the Coast Guard and recently approved a grant of $106,000 but this funding can only be used for equipment and not operational costs.
The costs of things like insurance are borne by donations and it is understood that competition among charities is extremely high and the Coast Guard is unable to to raise the funds and is calling on the state government to to assist as it does with other volunteer services.
If the money is not found, the Coast Guard says it will cease its radio monitoring service and the rescue of recreational boats at 11.59 on Thursday.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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